allonlinenovel Chapter 156 Conquering the Princess
Chapter 156 Conquering the Princess
The next day, Xuanzheng Hall.
Sunlight filtered through the clouds, dappling the glazed tiles of the main hall. The weather was indeed pleasant, with a gentle breeze and the fragrance of flowers, yet inside the Xuanzheng Hall, the atmosphere was so heavy it felt as if water could freeze instantly.
Liu Kun was frowning, his gaze wandering across the empty hall, as if searching for a clue to liberation.
Just then, the palace doors were gently pushed open, and a series of steady, powerful footsteps broke the silence within. The three powerful prime ministers—Duke Wei Wuji of Qin, Duke Yu Jin of Chu, and Duke Jiang Zhan of Han—entered the Xuanzheng Hall almost simultaneously. Their faces were filled with doubt and unease, as if they sensed that the topic to be discussed was of utmost importance.
Wei Wuji spoke first, his voice deep and powerful: "What is the purpose of His Majesty's sudden summons of us?"
Liu Kun sighed, slowly stood up, and said with a hint of helplessness and worry, "My dear ministers, have you heard of the rumor that has been circulating in the capital recently?"
"Oh? What kind of rumor?" Yu Jin asked curiously.
"Xiao Jinyan is about to marry Princess Yiyang," Liu Kun said with concern.
Upon hearing this, Jiang Zhan's expression changed drastically: "Your Majesty, are you referring to the marriage between Xiao Jinyan and Princess Yiyang?"
Liu Kun nodded heavily, his gaze becoming unusually profound: "Exactly. Once Xiao Jinyan marries Princess Yiyang, the power behind them will not be underestimated. Xiao Jinyan's father, Xiao Cheng, commands 300,000 elite troops, guarding the border with a formidable reputation; while Prince Jingling, Liu Yixuan, also commands 100,000 elite troops. Although he appears loyal to the court, who can guarantee that he won't harbor ulterior motives? If these two unite, their power will be so immense that it could shake our great land. If they become too powerful to control, the consequences will be unimaginable!"
Wei Wuji frowned, his eyes flashing with complex emotions: "At first, I thought that bastard Xiao Jinyan had defiled Princess Yiyang, and that it would be like stirring up a hornet's nest, angering the powerful Prince Jingling. Who would have thought that the development of the situation would be so unexpected? Princess Yiyang not only did not hold a grudge, but also resolutely decided to marry Xiao Jinyan. This reversal was so fast that it left people speechless."
Liu Kun's face was cold and stern, a playful smile curling at the corner of his lips: "Duke of Qin, you've miscalculated this time. I remember I was quite interested in this Princess Yiyang back then, intending to spend a romantic night with her, but you insisted on pushing this beautiful rose into Xiao Jinyan's arms. Now, all the spring scenery in this garden has become someone else's. What are we supposed to do, hmm?"
Upon hearing this, Wei Wuji frowned even more deeply, as if he could hold a pen between his brows: "Your Majesty, there is indeed something strange about this matter. Xiao Jinyan, though a man of extraordinary bravery, is already a married man. According to common sense, how could he marry a princess as his principal wife? This not only violates the law, but may also cause controversy in the court and among the people."
Liu Kun chuckled softly, his laughter tinged with disdain and confidence: "What's impossible about that? Things in this world often exceed the imagination of ordinary people. As far as I know, Xiao Jinyan's wife—oh, right, the beloved daughter of the Duke of Chu—has generously relinquished her position as the principal wife to Princess Yiyang. This daughter of the Duke of Chu is indeed sensible and knows how to weigh the pros and cons. It's just a pity that her virtue has benefited someone else."
Yu Jin frowned, his eyes flashing with unspeakable anger and disappointment: "What? My daughter actually dared to hand over the position of principal wife to that Princess Yiyang!"
Yu Jin cursed inwardly: Yu Xin'er, you are indeed a daughter born out of wedlock. With such a lowly body, how can you be worthy of being the heir of my Yu family!
Liu Kun said, "It's absolutely true, Duke of Chu, you really have a 'good daughter'. Such magnanimity and demeanor are probably rare in this world."
Upon hearing this, Yu Jin took a deep breath and tried to calm himself down: "Your Majesty, please calm down and allow me to reconsider."
Wei Wuji suddenly interjected, "It's really strange. That brat Xiao Jinyan actually played around with Princess Yiyang, and this princess, instead of being angry, offered herself to him. What's going on here?"
Upon hearing this, Liu Kun sneered, "What's so strange about that? You old fool, it seems you really don't understand matters of the heart. Once a man sleeps with a woman, she'll have something to hold onto and won't be able to leave him. Look at Xiao Jinyan, he slept with the princess, and now the princess is completely devoted to him."
Upon hearing this, Wei Wuji said, "What, are we old bones really unable to keep up with the pace of the young people?"
Yu Jin looked solemn and lowered his voice to say to Liu Kun, "Your Majesty, I have a plan in mind, but I don't know if it is feasible."
Upon hearing this, Liu Kun raised an eyebrow, a hint of urgency flashing in his eyes: "Please speak freely, my dear minister. I need a good plan right now."
Yu Jin took a deep breath and slowly said, "Your Majesty's concern is that if Xiao Jinyan and Princess Yiyang were to marry, his power would surely rise to its zenith and become uncontrollable. In that case, why not take the first step before they are married and bring the princess under Your Majesty's wing?"
Upon hearing this, Liu Kun's eyes flickered, as if he was somewhat tempted, but he still pretended to be calm and said, "What do you mean by this, my dear minister? Do you perhaps have a brilliant plan to implement?"
Yu Jin's lips curled into a sinister smile: "Your Majesty can issue an edict to summon the princess to the palace, under the guise of appreciating flowers and tea, to engage in illicit relations. Once the deed is done, the princess can be made a concubine and brought into the harem. In this way, the princess's heart will naturally be devoted to Your Majesty, and Xiao Jinyan will be left with nothing but despair."
Upon hearing this, Liu Kun couldn't help but smile knowingly: "Hmm, this plan is quite bold, and it's certainly a brilliant move."
However, before he could finish speaking, Wei Wuji, who had been silent for a long time, suddenly spoke up, his tone filled with displeasure and determination: "Your Majesty, this is absolutely unacceptable! Although Princess Yiyang and Xiao Jinyan have a prior engagement, they have not yet been formally married. However, matters of reputation are of paramount importance. If Your Majesty forcibly intervenes, it will not only violate etiquette but also risk causing criticism from the court and the public, thus damaging Your Majesty's reputation."
Upon hearing this, Yu Jin's sneer deepened, and he retorted, "Duke of Qin, you are mistaken. Although the princess and Xiao Jinyan are bound by a marriage contract, they have not yet consummated their marriage, and their status is not yet determined. As the supreme ruler, what is wrong with Your Majesty taking an unmarried woman as a concubine? This is a strategy of political maneuvering. Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures to ensure the stability of our dynasty."
Wei Wuji slowly stepped forward, his voice low and worried: "Your Majesty, I dare to speak, but if you forcibly take Princess Yiyang as your concubine, I fear it will anger her. Behind the princess stands Prince Jingling. If this forces Prince Jingling to rebel, the consequences will be unimaginable, and the peace of the country will be in danger."
Upon hearing this, Yu Jin's lips curled into a disdainful smile: "Duke Qin, you are mistaken. As far as I know, Xiao Jinyan only had a one-night stand with the princess, yet the princess not only did not blame him, but also developed a fondness for him, her desire to marry him being quite obvious. This shows that the princess is a passionate and unconventional person. Just imagine, His Majesty is healthy, handsome, and dashing; what woman in this world could remain unmoved? Once His Majesty conquers the princess with his gentle charm in bed, she will surely willingly submit to His Majesty and become His Majesty's strongest supporter."